He has ta’en the ford at that stream tail;
I wot he swam both strong and steady,
But the stream was broad, and his strength did fail,
And he never saw his bonny ladye!
XIII
O wae betide the frush[576] saugh[577] wand!
And wae betide the bush of brier!
It brake into my true love’s hand,
When his strength did fail, and his limbs did tire.
XIV
‘And wae betide ye, Annan Water,
This night that ye are a drumlie river!
For over thee I’ll build a bridge,
That ye never more true love may sever.’—
FOOTNOTES:
[570] gate = way.
[571] wadded = wagered.
[572] drumly = turbid.
[573] stey = steep.